$28 MILLION AWARDED IN POLICE CHASE

Matt O'Connor, Tribune Staff WriterCHICAGO TRIBUNE

A federal jury on Monday awarded $28 million in damages to the family of a man who eight years ago was allegedly beaten severely by a Chicago police officer and left "a prisoner in his own body," as his lawyers put it.

The jury took only about two hours to decide that Officer Jose Garcia used excessive force and that he and his partner, Manuel Acevedo, failed to provide medical assistance to the victim, Joseph Regalado.

The City of Chicago is liable for the entire $28 million verdict, according to Regalado's lawyers, Jon Loevy and Blake Horwitz. City officials said they expect to appeal the verdict.

According to the testimony of doctors called by the plaintiffs, Regalado went some 15 hours without medical attention, worsening the brain damage he suffered in the alleged beating.

Among those who testified at the trial was Richard Torres, who came forward just 1 1/2 years ago to say he witnessed the assault.

Torres was 16 and out past curfew when he said he saw a uniformed police officer strike Regalado three or four times on the back of the head or neck with what he believed was a baton or flashlight.

Torres said the officer then jerked the victim's head up and slapped him on the face.

According to medical experts called by the plaintiffs, Regalado had an artery torn in his neck from blunt trauma, cutting off blood to his brain.

The lawyers said Regalado, now 34, can't walk or talk, though he can understand simple questions and can blink once for yes and twice for no. He must be cared for 24 hours a day at his parents' home in Hickory Hills.

Garcia testified that during the chase Regalado collapsed and fell before Garcia reached him.